Can you use one copy of winxp on 2 or more identical computers?

[eyez]

I plan to build 4 computers that are identical, using Athlon processors. All with same drives, motherboard, graphics card, etc. If I use just one copy of winxp, would it think that it's the same computer and allow me to register?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Other than the fact that your 4 computer install would not be legal , it'd be interesting to hear if this works eyez. Please post your results.

 

[igiveup]

Yeah, no joke. I think you have a shot at it working if its truly an IDENTICAL configuration.

 

[Nothinman]

You mean activate, not register. There's a pretty significant difference.

And the hostname is part of the hash so you will more than likely have problems.

 

[corkyg]

I have two identical computers . . . same mobo, same RAM, same HDDs, same video, etc., etc. But, if I take a adrive from one to the other, it will "find new hardware" all over the place . . . controllers, etc. That tells me there is more to ID than same general hardware . . . there have to be differences that are sensed regarding lot numbers, serials, batches, etc.

But, can the same copy of XP be used on more than one . .. laptop plus the parent desktop is the rule. However . . . that depends on what edition you have. Academic and corporate have different rules and are individually more open.

 

[AndyHui]

The components will not be truly identical.

The serial numbers on your components will be different. The firmware serials or even volume serials for hard drives are used for WinXP's hardware key.

 

[Psychoholic]

Nope, not gonna happen. Are you building these for yourself or to sell??? If you're selling them do the people know you're selling a computer with an illegal copy of XP???

Why don't you just go the volume licensing route??? You'll need to purchase 5 copies, but if you've got the money to buy identical hardware for 4 machines that shouldn't be a problem IMO.

 

[chrisbest01]

sure you can, if you have the corperate edition of the xp.

 

[Nothinman]

sure you can, if you have the corperate edition of the xp.

That's illegal for several reasons, and that doesn't answer his question.

 

[raxafarian]

I do know that you can call MS to activate an already activated copy.... ie.. install winxp on machine... build new machine using same hd... format hd... reinstall winxp.. It says this copy already activated... call MS and give them the key generated on your machine.. they give you matching key to activate... I also know that if you take your first machine and turn it off and never use it again and build your second machine... go thru ms to activate and then your 2nd machine craps out 2 months later... and you take the 1st computer out of the closet and turn it back on, it will still work. Illegal of course... cause you have it installed on more than one machine..

If this is just for you.... do what you feel is right..

Like the previous post... if you're selling these machines... buy multiple licenses/copies.. or sell without OS

 

[Nothinman]

If this is just for you.... do what you feel is right..

Just because it's only for personal use doesn't mean he's allowed to break the law. True, they may never catch him, but with as many software pirates that got arrested recently I don't know if I'd take the chance.